Manila Times
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Friday, May 30, 2025
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Arrest of Former Philippine Congressman Arnie Teves in Timor-Leste
Arnolfo Teves Jr. detained amid allegations of serious crimes in the Philippines.
Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr., a former representative of Negros Oriental, was arrested by immigration officials in Timor-Leste on the evening of May 27, 2025. Teves was taken from his residence in Dili without a visible warrant or any formal legal documentation, according to statements from his son, Axl Teves.
Axl claimed that authorities forcefully entered their home around 8 PM and apprehended his father, who has been under scrutiny for his alleged involvement in the murder of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and several others during a violent incident in March 2023. Teves has consistently denied these allegations, asserting he was not present in the Philippines during the time of the crimes.
Teves has been in Timor-Leste since seeking asylum, following a request for extradition from the Philippines, which was previously denied by the Timor-Leste Court of Appeals.
A legal representative, Ferdinand Topacio, confirmed that no official documents were presented to justify the detention.
Both Teves and his lawyer, Dr. Joao Serra, were reportedly detained at the Ministry of the Interior in Timor-Leste.
In response to the unlawful arrest, Topacio announced that they are filing a habeas corpus petition in a bid to challenge the legality of the detention.
He explained that if the petition is granted, the authorities must provide valid reasons for the detention and the potential grounds for any forthcoming deportation.
Teves is facing multiple legal challenges linked to his alleged criminal activities, including murder charges related to the killings of three individuals in 2019, in addition to the high-profile case involving Degamo.
The Philippine Department of Justice has expressed its welcome of Teves' arrest, reiterating its intention to pursue extradition or deportation as appropriate.
The department maintains that it has not yet received any official notice regarding the specifics of Teves' situation from Timor-Leste authorities and remains prepared to act once formal processes are established.
As the situation unfolds, Teves’ family is raising concerns regarding the legality and humanitarian aspects of his arrest, with calls for international bodies to intervene in what they describe as "unlawful detention."
Axl claimed that authorities forcefully entered their home around 8 PM and apprehended his father, who has been under scrutiny for his alleged involvement in the murder of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and several others during a violent incident in March 2023. Teves has consistently denied these allegations, asserting he was not present in the Philippines during the time of the crimes.
Teves has been in Timor-Leste since seeking asylum, following a request for extradition from the Philippines, which was previously denied by the Timor-Leste Court of Appeals.
A legal representative, Ferdinand Topacio, confirmed that no official documents were presented to justify the detention.
Both Teves and his lawyer, Dr. Joao Serra, were reportedly detained at the Ministry of the Interior in Timor-Leste.
In response to the unlawful arrest, Topacio announced that they are filing a habeas corpus petition in a bid to challenge the legality of the detention.
He explained that if the petition is granted, the authorities must provide valid reasons for the detention and the potential grounds for any forthcoming deportation.
Teves is facing multiple legal challenges linked to his alleged criminal activities, including murder charges related to the killings of three individuals in 2019, in addition to the high-profile case involving Degamo.
The Philippine Department of Justice has expressed its welcome of Teves' arrest, reiterating its intention to pursue extradition or deportation as appropriate.
The department maintains that it has not yet received any official notice regarding the specifics of Teves' situation from Timor-Leste authorities and remains prepared to act once formal processes are established.
As the situation unfolds, Teves’ family is raising concerns regarding the legality and humanitarian aspects of his arrest, with calls for international bodies to intervene in what they describe as "unlawful detention."
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